Cinnamomum Verum: A Critical Review of Its Phytochemical Constituents and Therapeutic Applications.

Abstract

This review provides a critical analysis of the phytochemical composition and pharmacological efficacy of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), a culinary staple with extensive ethnomedicinal use. Recent investigations confirm that the spice's broad therapeutic spectrum is directly attributable to a diverse profile of secondary metabolites, predominantly comprising phenylpropanoids (e.g., cinnamaldehyde and eugenol), various flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, and terpenoids. The integrated pharmacological evidence supports the use of C. verum as a potent agent against several chronic human health challenges. Its documented effects include robust antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective activities. Mechanistically, these beneficial effects are achieved through the modulation of critical cellular signaling cascades. Bioactive constituents are shown to regulate pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2, which govern inflammation and oxidative stress responses. Furthermore, C. verum exhibits direct inhibitory effects on β-amyloid aggregation—a hallmark of neurodegenerative pathology—and on carbohydrate-digesting enzymes, which is relevant to postprandial glucose control. Significantly, the species is distinguished by its negligible coumarin content, contrasting sharply with common cassia varieties. This enhanced safety profile is a key factor underscoring its suitability for long-term or chronic application. By synthesizing these phytochemical and mechanistic insights, this review validates C. verum's potential as a highly effective functional food ingredient and a promising lead candidate for nutraceutical development aimed at mitigating metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, and neurodegeneration driven by oxidative stress.